Visual Proof of a GSM-Only Touchscreen BlackBerry!
Posted in News & Rumors on 23 Sep 2008 08:31 by Kevin Michaluk | 26 comments

BlackBerry 9500 Storm

Following up on Kevin Byrne's "final specs on the Verizon BlackBerry Storm", we have VISUAL proof of the existence of the 9530 Storm's GSM-only sibling, the BlackBerry 9500. Zoomed in image after the jump.

These are spyshots, so unfortunately the specs on the 9500 in the image above are pretty tiny to read, but it appears (I *think*) that they line up on part with what Kevin has said and Mike over at BBNews tends to agree. Mike also lists the following as the specs:

  • 7.2 mbps HSDPA/UMTS (2100/1900/850 MHz)
  • Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
  • 1GB of memory, 192MB RAM
  • 1400 mAhr battery. Standby time: 528 hours
  • MicroUSB port
  • MicroSD and MicroSDHC expandable up to 8GB
  • 3.2 megapixel camera, flash, 2.5x digital zoom, auto focus, and image stabilization
  • Video capture. Normal mode (480×320) and MMS mode (176×144)
  • Assisted GPS - Enhanced version of GPS that performs at a faster speed

For those who "live" in our 9500 Series forum, this news won't be too big of a surprise for you, but still, it's nice to see visual proof. And yes, you should be able to unlock this bad boy and run it on AT&T. 

 

BlackBerry 9500

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Comments
By: Crucial_Xtreme | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 07:42

1st..If it's correct(;)) it'll work on AT&T's 3G

By: chrisb | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 07:53

Am I missing something? All I see here is the final specs for the Storm aka the BB 9500.

What could be interesting is whether or not the BB could be unlocked to work on AT&T or TMO since it has a full quad-band GSM radio and 3G HSDPA radio in it along with the CDMA radio for Verizon.

By: Kevin Michaluk | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 07:57

9530 = Verizon's CDMA/World touchscreen BlackBerry
9500 = GSM only version

The Verizon model has been constantly referred to in the past weeks as the 9530, so seeing a 9500 is big.

By: chrisb | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 08:18

Maybe, but the Storm is the 9500 series. We'll see if AT&T or TMO get one after VZW's exclusivity period is over.

By: CGSCOT | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 08:02

It says "three types of keyboard" but only seems to list 2,
qwerty in Landscape & Suretype in Portrait whats the 3rd ?

By: Stryder (not verified) | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 10:34

If you look carefully under the BlackBerry News Logo you can see that it says "displays a suretype technology keyboard or a multitap keyboard" So suretype haters can go back to the traditional 3 letters per key.

By: Crucial_Xtreme | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 08:26

Yes they will work on AT&T and T-Mobile. And on AT&T's 3G network.

By: talltubatom | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 08:29

Why would the two devices differ in having flash? that is just more manufacturing costs for RIM and less features for verizon. I don't buy it.

By: StvB | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 09:18

So no WiFi on this thing?

By: Achronas | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 09:34

Hmmmm..... No WIFI?

Okay, I can live with that, my 8830 doesn't have WIFI capabilities and I've been fine with it... so that's all good.

My only true concern is when I buy this bad boy, is it going to come with a CD for Mac so I can sync my BB with my MBP?

I know there is a app for that called BB Sync or something of the sort because I have it, but it doesn't have all the features of the actual program that came with my BB 8830....

By: Achronas | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 09:36

My last comment is said the Mac app was called BB Sync, when it is truly called PocketMac for BlackBerry... my bad.

By: tsatsut | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 09:41

still want the bb bold.....

By: Anonymous (not verified) | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 09:45

This is half true. Yes there will be a GSM and CDMA version but the hardware will not change. The storm will be quad gsm, dual cdma, and tri hsdpa. Now its all up to RIM/Carriers to disable/enable bands they want. So just software then they can call it any model they want.

By: isaacleese | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 09:45

If this is the 9500 and Big Red's is the 9530, does that mean that there will be 9510's and 9520's? Or is RIM just staying consistent with their xx30 model as always being CDMA?

By: blane64 | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 10:00

This is the device that might tempt me to leave my Curve. I really don't need a full keyboard since i only send a few SMS. Although, why not just get (gasp) an iPhone?

By: BabiCakes | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 10:13

Now I don't have to pay off my $1,750 phone bill with Verizon yet...we're still at war!! Until they can admit they screwed up my bill no one is getting a penny!! lol

By: bobojay | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 10:26

Seems there is hope then for us non-vzwers lusting at this phone.....

By: golfnut | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 10:36

All the info here is great for the non-VZW carriers and all, however, the real issue: Are both going to have Flash or not? Kevin, if you can do your magical research and find that out for sure, I'd really appreciate it.

By: Anonymous | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 10:41

I wish they would add Wi-Fi in place of the CDMA radio.

By: Jfarlow (not verified) | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 12:27

In the ad you can see where the CDMA specs are listed as well.... The reason you also see GSM is that it is going to be world enabled( it will work off gsm in europe etc.)

By the way VZW has a LIFETIME exclusivity in the us on this one!

By: c r kline (not verified) | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 16:03

So this phone will work in Europe and Central and S America?

Who will carry this phone? VZW is Verizon?

OT question - Will the Verizon Storm work OUS in Europe and Central and South America? The reaos I went ot ATT is that there phones worked OUS.

By: SmartIndianKid | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 16:46

Yes, Verizon has exclusivity to the 9530. The "9500" makes me think it's not a 9530.

So those of us with proper carriers can still get our hands on a little touchscreen fun :)

By: ha (not verified) | Date: Tue, 09/23/2008 - 20:18

Well of course there will be a GSM only version, after all Vodafone is GSM and they are getting the exclusive for Europe.

By: EdinNJ (not verified) | Date: Wed, 09/24/2008 - 07:58

If you look closely at the blurred document... 2 points under where it says GPS, you see CDMA. In the closeup, under the logo lower right, you can see the C from CDMA.

By: boxer | Date: Wed, 09/24/2008 - 19:32

does mean att and tmobile will have there versions? anybody how long verizon has exclusive right to the storm?

By: GrkBMWQT | Date: Thu, 09/25/2008 - 15:47

I do not believe that the Storm or some version of it will never go to ATT!! It's a completely new type of BB and RIM is gonna wanna milk this one for its all!!! So they will definitly want it to go to ATT sooner or later! Just like the Bold is exclusive to ATT but only for a time period,...the Storm will be exclusive to VZW only for a time period!!!

 
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